What's Laura Reading Today?

Day: March 14, 2009

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I love the manga glossary at Graphic Novel Reporter. It’s so critical to have access to these kinds of really clear definitions when you’re trying to make good purchasing choices, especially if you’re not as familiar with the genre. (Hat tip to Finding Wonderland)

At Carol’s Corner, Carol has a couple of good posts about reading stepladders – booklists that not only point a young reader to similar books that he or she might like, but that also show thematically similar books on a higher and lower reading level. It’s a great way to help kids take the next step while still giving them something that is familiar in terms of theme and will keep their interest. These ladders could be a really useful tool.

The Book Whisperer has a great post on identifying and engaging gifted readers, and keeping these children engaged in reading. Like many of the posts that came out of the wonderful Share a Story – Shape a Future event, this post has a lot of direct, practical advice. Her lists of types of books that will appeal to many gifted readers, which includes examples for each category, is excellent. (Hat tip to Jen Robinson’s Book Blog)

Gail Gauthier explores why children and young adults find mysteries comforting, and why they often use mysteries as a gateway to adult literature. I think the points she explores here can apply to a lot of other genre fiction, as well.

Interesting Washington Post article about “Supergirls” and how parents should respond to a child who will not allow herself to make mistakes. I don’t agree with everything in the article – there aren’t really many helicopter parents out there? I worked in a college registrar’s office until fairly recently and I would very much dispute that claim. But there’s some genuinely good advice sprinkled in there. (Hat tip to YPulse’s twitter feed)

Do yourself a favor and read Editorial Ass‘ comments on racism by omission in the publishing industry. This is important, and it starts thinking about actions that we can all take to create change. In the post, Editorial Ass also points out a blog I hadn’t seen before – White Readers Meet Black Authors. Awesome.

And finally, thank you thank you thank you to Alice for reminding me of this old SNL clip, which features Jesse Jackson reading Green Eggs and Ham as only Jesse Jackson can. I am physically incapable of being unhappy when I watch this. I’m curious – what children’s book would you most like to hear Jesse Jackson read? As for me, I will be waiting and hoping for him to pull out Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus. Anyone who can make this happen has my devotion forever.